Alcatel announced on Thursday that it had been awarded a new GSM mobile network expansion and modernisation by Paktel Ltd, the Pakistani incumbent owned by Millicom International Cellular (MIC).
According to statement issued here, the multi-million Euro contract would be executed over three phases covering the four provinces of the county, with around 1400 sites. It would be implemented by the third quarter next year.
Under the terms of this contract, Alcatel would be supplying Paktel Ltd with its industry-leading Evolium( GSM/GPRS end-to-end solutions, including Base Station Sub-systems (BSS), a new microwave system expansion to carry high-capacity traffic as well as the installation of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) sites in parallel with operation & maintenance support services.
One of the biggest expansions of MIC at a time in Pakistan is Paktel, with a market expected to grow fiercely from 16 million subscribers in September 2005 to 40 million subscribers in 2010- Alcatel will be supporting Paktel Ltd in expanding its network within the county by delivering much needed quality to enable it to grow its current customer base in an extremely competitive market.
"Our subscriber base is growing rapidly," says Xavier Rocoplan, Paktel CEO. "We are targeting to become the 2nd GSM operator of Pakistan by 2008 and partnering with Alcatel will empower our ambitious plan to gain significant market share in the major cities."
"Our confidence in Alcatel's long proven record with other MIC subsidiaries in other countries and its ability to deliver on aggressive timelines were key determining factors."
Olivier Picard, President of Alcatel Area4, responsible for its telecom operations in France, Africa, Middle East, the Indian Sub-continent, Turkey and Central Asia, said: "The Pakistani market is certainly today the fastest growing market for mobile infrastructure in South Asia and one of the most important world-wide given the size of the population and its growth rate."
"Our relation with MIC, the parent company of Paktel Ltd is greatly and tangibly strengthened by the signature of this contract. With this contract, Alcatel becomes one of only two suppliers to have two mobile operators in their customer portfolio in Pakistan."-PR
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